The New Suit.
I bought a new suit this week. I’ve been looking around a few clothing shops and decided to try one popular clothing shop that has been in the city for decades. However, either nothing fitted or I just didn’t feel comfortable in them. One jacket that I tried on didn’t quite meet in middle so that it couldn’t be buttoned. “Would you really want the jacket to button?” the shop worker asked me. I didn’t even answer his question and decided to try other shops.
I went and tried another shop were the gentleman behind the counter was well advanced in years and had all the experience of dealing with customers of all shapes and sizes. “I’d like to try on a new suit please”, I said. He looked at me with a glint in his eye and said “Certainly sir. Would you prefer the mahogany or oak?” I knew what he meant and just laughed.
With that knowing smile he just turned, went to his clothing rail and lifted down a jacket. “Try this one for starters, Sir” he said. It fitted perfectly. The only thing that needed adjusting were the sleeves but that didn’t concern me just yet. He lifted down a pair of trousers and had me try on the whole suit. It fitted. That man had me sized up and fitted within fifteen minutes. He knew from his years of experience just what I needed and he had it on hand.
When we go into a church or christian meeting we will meet people of all shapes and sizes. Not just physically but mentally and emotionally too. We will meet people who have been going to church for years but have not been given such great biblical teaching. We will meet with other people who avidly study the bible and thrive on biblical debate and conversations. And it will take a wise and discerning christian leader to be able to tell one type of person from the other.
Jesus knew who He was calling. Each disciple was called, not just because of their strengths, but also because of their weaknesses. For God can be praised and glorified as much in our weaknesses as in our strengths.
King David knew where his strengths lay when he went out to fight Goliath. He refused to wear King Saul’s armour, rather trusting in his own skills with sling and stones. These skills had served him in the past and they would serve him again that day.
Samson knew where his skills lay. He had failed God so many times. There is not one righteous act recorded against Samson’s name. But when the final crunch time came He destroyed more philistines that day.
The Bible is filled with accounts of people who are filled with failings. And the same is true for God’s people today. But with God’s discerning eye He knows just where to lead us and just and what we need for the journey. No matter what our shortcomings are, or where our weaknesses lie God knows exactly what we need. And He will supply it at the time we most need it.
Consider what Paul said to the Christians at Corinth in his second letter…..
2nd Corinthians ch9 (8) And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
And again when he wrote to the Christians in Ephesus….
Ephesians ch3 (14) For this reason I kneel before the Father (15) from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.(16) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,(17) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, (18) may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,(19) and to know this love that surpasses knowledge so that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
God will indeed supply all our needs so that we may get to know Him more and to become better suited people for His people in our churches. He has never been a disappointment. He has never let us down. He knows exactly just what we need and how we are best able to use our gifts. We just need to make ourselves available to Him and to trust in His leading.
Great is your faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed your hand has provided;
Great is your faithfulness, Lord unto me.
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